Even though I live in the cold, cold north I did not celebrate the October Thanksgiving. I had to work and all that. Besides, I think Canadian Thanksgiving is much less the big deal that it is in the southerly land. And I need a meal that's a big deal.
Luckily? my in-laws visited over Thanksgiving, so I had an excuse to cook a big deal Thanksgiving meal. This is only the second Thanksgiving that I've done completely by myself, and I have to say I am a much better cook than I was the last time. My in-laws insisted on baking some bread, but otherwise I wouldn't let anyone contribute because I am a kitchen tyrant. I did allow some help with mashing potatoes and carving the turkey.
- delicious cocktails made with calvados and cranberries and sugar. way too strong, though. i found the recipe on the NY Times, I think they are called Normandy
- some kind of dip (ok, it was green goddess) with carrots, endive, and radishes
- chicory and fennel salad with an apple cider vinaigrette (the recipe calls for escarole which I'm sure would be just as good)
- roasted sweet potatoes with garlic oil and fried sage
- leek, chestnut, and apple stuffing
- a turkey (which was organic and local and all that, the farmer delivered it)
- gravy, which was not a bit lumpy thank you very much
- mashed potatoes which would have had way more cream if I had mashed them
- cranberry sauce with vodka and triple sec (finally, cranberry sauce I can appreciate!)
- pumpkin pie
- apple pie
- oh, i also made pumpkin muffins for breakfast.
I love Thanksgiving so, so much. I love the process of menu planning and prepping and getting cranky because people are in your way in your small kitchen. I love seeing all the pieces come together and the chaos and the pile of dishes and the first bite and the final bite that you can barely stomach and the fatigue and the sighs. And the leftovers.
4 comments:
Your Thanksgiving sounds fabulous.
I am envious of your salad. I made no salad. Fennel and chicory. Refreshing. I could use some of that now to go alongside the leftover turkey.
You must pass on the recipe for the cranberries with vodka and triple sec. Wow! I just made the regular (read: out of the can!), but I might be able to do the vodka version. Yeah!
Truly inspiring. I love the innovations of your menu--agree with otterbutt, the fennel/chicory thing sounds splendid.
I made some pumpkin-ginger scones on T-giving morning with some of my pumpkin--I love having just a little extra bit of pumpkin around.
I agree with Dr. Write, in conclusion, but would add that you should publish the recipes for your entire feast, along with the photos.
What an refreshingly unique Thanksgiving--I must try the salad and the sweet potatoes.
Post a Comment